Ernie Els
Ernie Els
Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Elsis a South African professional golfer. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature) along with his fluid golf swing. Among his 71 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He is one of six golfers to twice win...
NationalitySouth African
ProfessionAthlete
emotion putt remember seems shots
I was 27, and it seems like just yesterday. I remember a lot of shots I made, and when I made the putt at 18, it's probably the most emotion I've ever shown.
bring course greens plan shots time
Their plan is to bring the course back to where they used to play the shots into the greens in the '60s and '70s. We've just got to give it time and see where it goes.
left shot shots
I've shot 69 but I feel like I've left some shots out there today,
accuracy areas best certain conditions difference form gets greens longer matter player second shots small takes toughest tour win
Basically, it takes the best player who's on form to win this tournament. The conditions here, maybe, make more difference than at a lot of places. When it gets a little firmer, the second shots become probably the toughest on Tour because the greens are very small and there's only certain areas where you can go with your second shots. In that regard, it doesn't matter longer or shorter hitter. Accuracy is at a premium.
ball change clubs easier high higher hit low players position sand shots
Some players like to change clubs around the green to hit high or low shots. I play all of my short-game shots with my 54-degree sand wedge and change my ball position to hit it higher or lower. I think it's easier to learn one club than four.
avoid ball club dry flyer hit loft open percent shots sitting swing top trying unless
Because of the grass and open face, I take one more club for shots from the rough, unless the ball is sitting on top of dry grass. Then, I use more loft and swing softer, trying to hit it about 70 percent to avoid a flyer over the green.
clubs shots harder
Swinging harder with a longer club almost always leads to bad shots.
bomb course hit hole love plays tee
I'm sure you have a hole at your course where you love to hit the tee shot. You can't wait to get up there and bomb away because the fairway is wide, or the hole always plays downwind.
definitely europe guys opposite total
I know what Europe is like and it is the total opposite from here at the moment. Guys will definitely have to take their fluids and look after themselves.
believe enjoyed finish knew people scottish sure together trouble watching
I knew we were all in trouble and I didn't really believe I could keep it together to finish at five-under. I'm sure the Scottish people enjoyed watching us today.
courses good grew love reminds south
I like the course, I love the way it's set out. It reminds me a lot of courses that I grew up on in South Africa. I've got a good feel for the place.
biggest dig ground hitting pinch ripping trying
The biggest mistake is trying to pinch down on the ball and ripping out a big divot, often hitting the ground before the ball. You'll dig up some turf, but you won't create much backspin.
accuracy best form great player premium short win
The best player who is on form is going to win the tournament. Accuracy is at a premium here and you'd better have your short game. Overall, it's a great test.
birdie guess nine played ran shoot
It's not always that you're going to shoot a 29 in a major. You just want to keep grinding, keep playing. On the back nine I played pretty solid. I guess I just ran out of birdie holes.